Method and apparatus for peak weight detection

ABSTRACT

A method for determining a peak weight associated with an agricultural machine includes the step of determining a weight associated with the agricultural machine. Operational parameters are stored in response to determining that the weight is above a threshold. The threshold can be based on a maximum weight associated with the agricultural machine and set via user input to a machine control indicator. In one embodiment, a new weight associated with the agricultural machine is determined. The new weight is compared to a previous peak weight associated with the agricultural machine. The new weight is stored as a peak weight in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight. Operational parameters associated with the new weight can also be stored in response to determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural machines, andmore particularly to sensing weights associated with an agriculturalmachine.

Agricultural machines are designed to be operated within certainparameters. However, users of agricultural machines may operate themoutside of these operational parameters either intentionally orunintentionally. Manufacturers of agricultural machines typically offerwarranties for manufacturing and/or craftsmanship defects. However,damage caused by operating a machine outside its operational parametersmay not be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Visual inspectionof damage to an agricultural machine can be insufficient to determine ifthe machine has been operated outside acceptable operational parameters.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for determining a peak weight associatedwith an agricultural machine includes the step of determining a weightassociated with the agricultural machine. Operational parameters arestored in response to determining that the weight is above a threshold.The threshold can be based on a maximum weight associated with theagricultural machine and set via user input to a machine controlindicator. In one embodiment, a new weight associated with theagricultural machine is determined. The new weight is compared to aprevious peak weight associated with the agricultural machine. The newweight is stored as a peak weight in response to determining that thenew weight is higher than the previous peak weight. Operationalparameters associated with the new weight can also be stored in responseto determining that the new weight is higher than the previous peakweight. In one embodiment, the determining that the new weight is higherthan the previous peak weight based on the new weight being a specificpercentage higher than the previous peak weight. In one embodiment, theweight associated with the agricultural machine is determinedperiodically. The frequency at which the weight is determined can basedon a responsiveness of a weight sensor associated with the agriculturalmachine.

An apparatus pertaining to peak weight detection is also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a system for peak weight detection according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a graph showing a weight associated with an agriculturalmachine over time;

FIG. 3 depicts a table containing operational parameter records;

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for determining peak weightassociated with an agricultural machine; and

FIG. 5 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer for implementingcomponents shown in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The weight of an object is the force produced by the object due togravity. The weight of an object is typically defined as the product ofthe mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity. The weightof an object measured using a device, such as a scale, requires theobject and the device to be not accelerating in order to determine theobject's actual weight. For example, the weight of an object placed on ascale when the scale and the object are stationary (or moving at aconstant velocity) can be considered to be the actual weight of theobject. If the object is placed on the scale and the scale is thenaccelerated upward, the weight of the object identified by the scalewill be higher than the actual weight of the object. The weight of theobject identified by the scale is the product of the mass of the objectand the combined acceleration due to gravity and the upward motion.Agricultural equipment is often used to hold and transport agriculturalmaterials and includes one or more load cells for measuring the weightof material added to the equipment. For example, a feed mixer with oneor more load cells can be loaded with animal feed to be mixed and thentowed by a tractor to a location for discharge. The load cells sense theweight of material (e.g. animal feed) contained in the feed mixer. Asthe feed mixer is towed by the tractor, the wheels of the feed mixer maytravel over surface imperfections such as potholes, ditches, or bumps.When a surface imperfection causes the feed mixer to be acceleratedvertically upward, the weight of material in the feed mixer sensed bythe load cells can change. For example, when the feed mixer travels overa bump, the load cells sense the apparent weight of the material in thefeed mixer as higher than the actual weight of the material when it isnot vertically accelerated upward by surface imperfections. The weightof material sensed by the load cells of the feed mixer can vary as thefeed mixer travels over a surface.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for peak weight detection according to oneembodiment. System 100 is configured to detect when a peak weightassociated with an agricultural machine has occurred. The peak weightcan be an actual weight or an apparent weight. For example, a peakweight can occur if an agricultural machine is overloaded with amaterial, such as feed. A peak weight can also occur if the agriculturalmachine travels over surface imperfections such as rocks, ditches, orbumps at a certain speed. The peak weight information, along withadditional information, such as operational parameters and a location ofthe agricultural machine when the peak weight occurred are stored forlater evaluation.

Tractor 102 is an agricultural machine equipped with machine controlindicator 108 and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver110. GNSS receiver 110 determines a location of tractor 102 andtransmits location data to machine control indicator 108. Machinecontrol indicator 108 receives data from GNSS receiver 110 along withdata from various sensors. Machine control indicator 108, in oneembodiment, is configured to display operational parameters to a user.Machine control indicator 108 can be configured in one embodiment toreceive input from a user via a keyboard, touch screen and/or additionalinput devices.

Tractor 102 is mechanically coupled to trailer 104 so that trailer 104can be moved by tractor 102. Trailer 104 can be an agricultural machinesuch as a feed mixer for mixing ingredients to be fed to animals.Trailer 104, in one embodiment, includes several devices for sensingoperational parameters. Load cells 112, 114 (also referred to as weightsensors) are in communication with load cell junction-box 116 and areused to detect a weight of material added to trailer 104. Load celljunction-box 116 receives signals from load cells 112, 114 and, in oneembodiment, converts these signals to weight values that are transmittedfrom load cell junction-box 116 to machine control indicator 108. Itshould be noted that a tare weight (i.e., weight of empty containerassociated with trailer 104 used for receiving material) can besubtracted from a sensed weight value in order to zero the weight valuewhen the container is empty. Front loader 106 is shown in FIG. 1preparing to add material to trailer 104.

System 100 can include speed sensor 118 in one embodiment. Speed sensor118 is a sensor for detecting the speed at which tractor 102 istravelling. In one embodiment, speed sensor 118 can be a wheel mountedsensor that generates a signal in response to rotation of the wheel.Speed sensor 118 can also be other types of motion sensors. It should benoted that the speed of tractor 102 is substantially the same as thespeed of trailer 104 when trailer 104 is coupled to tractor 102. In oneembodiment, speed sensor 118 is located on trailer 104 in order todetermine the speed of trailer 104 directly instead of inferring thespeed of trailer 104 based on the speed of tractor 102. The speed oftractor and/or trailer is determined by GNSS receiver 110 in oneembodiment.

Trailer 104 can include rotations per minute (RPM) sensor 120 fordetecting the rotational speed of a component of trailer 104. Forexample, RPM sensor 120 can be used to determine the rotational speed ofa drive shaft of trailer 104. In one embodiment, the drive shaft oftrailer 104 is turned by tractor 102 via a power coupling such as apower take off. RPM sensor 120 can alternatively be used to sense therotational speed of an implement of trailer 104 such as an auger ormixing blade. Trailer 104 can also have pressure sensor 122 andtemperature sensor 124 for sensing the hydraulic pressure andtemperature of a gearbox associated with trailer 104.

It should be noted that the locations of components shown in FIG. 1 areexemplary. The components can be mounted in other locations. Forexample, machine control indicator 108 and/or GNSS receiver 110 can belocated on trailer 104.

FIG. 2 depicts graph 200 showing weight of material on trailer 104 overtime. The horizontal axis of the graph depicts time and the verticalaxis of the graph depicts weight. The units of time and weight can beset by a user depending on the desired resolution of graph 200. Line 202depicts the weight of material in trailer 104 over time as sensed byload cells 112, 114. As shown in graph 200, trailer 104 is empty at timeT1. As material is added to trailer 104, for example by front loader106, the weight sensed increases as shown by weights W1, W2, W3, W4, andW5. At time T2, trailer 104 contains a desired amount of material. Afterthe desired amount of material has been added to trailer 104, tractor102 is operated to move trailer 104. As trailer 104 is moved, in thisexample, it travels over a surface imperfection, specifically a bump.The bump causes trailer to accelerate upward as shown by spike 206 attime T3. The sudden increase and subsequent decrease of spike 206 isindicative of upward vertical acceleration of trailer 104 and not asudden increase and decrease of material loaded onto trailer. This isbecause the rise and fall of spike 206 would require adding and removinga significant amount of material from trailer 104 at a rate nottypically possible during normal loading and unloading. Accordingly,such a rise and fall can be interpreted to be caused by vertical motionof trailer 104 and not by addition and removal of material from trailer104. It should be noted that, in this example, the peak of spike 206exceeds threshold 204. The value of threshold 204 (i.e., a particularweight value) is adjustable, in one embodiment, by an authorized user(e.g., a factory representative, trailer manufacturer representative,etc.). In one embodiment, the threshold is set to a maximum weight ofmaterial that should not be exceeded.

Abrupt weight changes, such as those associated with spike 206, aretypically caused by trailer 104 moving over a rough surface. Forexample, trailer 104 is loaded with material by a user to certainweight. Trailer 104 is then moved by tractor 102. An abrupt change inweight can be sensed when trailer 104 hits a bump, such as a speed bump,a mound of dirt, a rock, etc. Trailer 104 is abruptly acceleratedvertically due to the bump which causes a sudden increase in the weightsensed. After the bump is traversed, the weight sensed returns to thevalue sensed prior to the abrupt change.

Between time T3 and time T4, material is unloaded (e.g., discharged)from trailer 104 and then additional material is loaded into trailer104. This is shown in FIG. 2 as the decreasing weights as sensed by loadcells 112, 114 followed by increasing weights sensed by load cells 112,114 until trailer 104 is loaded with a desired amount of material attime T4. It should be noted that the weight of material loaded ontotrailer 104 at time T4 is over threshold 204. Trailer 104 is then pulledby tractor 102 and traverses a surface imperfection (e.g., bump) whichcauses load cells 112, 114 to sense a sudden increase and decrease ofweight as shown by spike 208 at time T5. After time T5, material isunloaded (e.g., discharged) from trailer 104.

In one embodiment, sensed weight values that are above threshold 204cause operational parameters to be captured and stored for lateranalysis. For example, when spike 206 occurs, operational parametersthat occur before, during, and after spike 206 are stored. The amount oftime that operational parameters are stored before spike 206 as well asafter spike 206 is also adjustable by an authorized user. In oneembodiment, the value for threshold 204 is based on trailer 104. Forexample, if trailer 104 is a feed mixer that is designed to hold 2,000pounds of material, threshold 204 can be set to a value above 2,000pounds. The value of threshold 204 can also be based on a maximum weightof material trailer 104 can hold before it is damaged. For example, iftrailer 104 is designed to hold 2,000 pounds of material and will bedamaged if loaded with more than 2,500 pounds of material, threshold 204can be set to 2,250 pounds.

FIG. 3 depicts a table 300 in which information is stored for lateranalysis. Table 300 includes a plurality of records 302, 304, 306, 308,and 310. Each record includes values for a date 312 and time 314indicating when the operational parameters identified in the particularrecord were captured. Each record also includes a plurality ofoperational parameters according to one embodiment. Weight 316identifies a weight value indicated by load cells 112, 114 and load celljunction-box 116 shown in FIG. 1. Speed 318 identifies a speed value oftrailer 104 indicated by speed sensor 118 shown in FIG. 1. RPM 320identifies an RPM value identified by RPM sensor 120 shown in FIG. 1.Pressure 322 identifies a pressure value indicated by pressure sensor122 shown in FIG. 1. Temperature 324 identifies a temperature valueindicated by temperature sensor 124 shown in FIG. 1. Location 326identifies a location determined by GNSS receiver 110 shown in FIG. 1.Location 326 is shown in FIG. 3 using longitude and latitude valuesindicating a position of GNSS receiver 110 at the date and timeassociated with the particular record. Other location values can be usedto identify the location of GNSS receiver 110 as well.

FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart 400 of a method for detecting, at a machinecontrol indicator, a peak weight associated with an agricultural machineaccording to one embodiment. At step 402, a weight associated with anagricultural machine is determined. In one embodiment, machine controlindicator 104 detects the weight based on data from load cells 112, 114.In one embodiment, the weight is determined periodically. The frequencyat which the weight is determined can based on a responsiveness of loadcells 112, 114, speed of tractor 102 or trailer 104, or other factors.At step 404, machine control indicator 108 determines if the weight isabove a threshold. The threshold can be a maximum weight associated withthe agricultural machine and can be set by an authorized user. If theweight is not above the threshold, the method returns to step 402. Ifthe weight is above the threshold, the method proceeds to step 406. Atstep 406, operational parameters are stored in response to determiningthat the weight is above the threshold. The operational parameters atthe time the weight above the threshold occurred, as well as operationalparameters associated with times before and after, can be stored. Theoperational parameters are stored as records with each record having adate and time stamp as shown in FIG. 3.

Machine control indicator 108 continues to receive and analyze data fromload cells 112, 114. At step 408, machine control indicator 108determines a new weight associated with the agricultural machine. Atstep 410, machine control indicator 108 compares the new weight to aprevious peak weight. If the new weight is not higher than the previouspeak weight, the method returns to step 408. If the new weight is higherthan the previous peak weight, the method proceeds to step 412. At step412, the new weight is stored as a peak weight in response todetermining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.The method then returns to step 408.

Machine control indicator 108 can be configured to store data pertainingto multiple peak weights. For example, the last 5 peak weights detectedcan be stored so that the data can be analyzed in order to determine ifthere is a pattern of overloading of the agricultural machine.

In one embodiment, the threshold can be based on a maximum weightassociated with the agricultural machine. The threshold can be set viauser input to machine control indicator 108. In one embodiment, thethreshold can be set based on a previous peak weight. For example,machine control indicator 108 can start with a threshold of zero anddetermine a new peak weight based on a weight exceeding the threshold.The new weight then becomes a peak weight. Each time a new weightexceeds the threshold, that weight is determined to be the peak weightand the threshold is set to a value equivalent to the peak weight. Assuch, each new peak weight is set as a new threshold. In one embodiment,a new weight must be a specific percentage higher than (e.g., above) thethreshold (e.g. a previous peak weight) in order for the new weight tobe considered higher than the threshold. For example, a new weight mayonly be determined to be a peak weight if the new weight is five percenthigher than the threshold.

It should be noted that an agricultural machine can be loaded withagricultural material and still be under a maximum weight associatedwith the agricultural machine. However, an agricultural machine loadedwith agricultural material to a weight under the agricultural machine'smaximum weight can exceed the agricultural machine's maximum weight dueto a change in vertical acceleration. For example, an agriculturalmachine loaded with material to a weight near the machine's maximumweight can experience a vertical acceleration due to travel over surfaceimperfections such as pot holes and/or ditches. Although the actualweight of material loaded into the agricultural machine is not above themachine's maximum weight, the vertical acceleration caused by movementof the machine over a surface imperfection can cause an upward verticalacceleration that can cause the apparent weight of material to increaseabove the machine's maximum weight. This apparent weight of material candamage the agricultural machine in the same manner that overloading themachine with agricultural machine with material can damage theagricultural machine. Travelling at high speeds over surfaceimperfections can cause high vertical accelerations as compared totravelling at lower speeds over the same imperfections.

In one embodiment, access to peak weight data and settings associatedwith peak weight are protected to prevent access by unauthorized users.For example, peak weight data and settings can be password protected inorder to prevent access to the information without a password.

Machine control indicator 108, GNSS receiver 110, and other componentsdepicted in FIG. 1 can be implemented using a computer. A high-levelblock diagram of such a computer is illustrated in FIG. 5. Computer 502contains a processor 504 which controls the overall operation of thecomputer 502 by executing computer program instructions which definesuch operation. The computer program instructions may be stored in astorage device 512, or other computer readable medium (e.g., magneticdisk, CD ROM, etc.), and loaded into memory 510 when execution of thecomputer program instructions is desired. Thus, the method steps of FIG.4 can be defined by the computer program instructions stored in thememory 510 and/or storage 512 and controlled by the processor 504executing the computer program instructions. For example, the computerprogram instructions can be implemented as computer executable codeprogrammed by one skilled in the art to perform an algorithm defined bythe method steps of FIG. 4. Accordingly, by executing the computerprogram instructions, the processor 504 executes an algorithm defined bythe method steps of FIG. 4. The computer 502 also includes one or morenetwork interfaces 506 for communicating with other devices via anetwork. The computer 502 also includes input/output devices 508 thatenable user interaction with the computer 502 (e.g., display, keyboard,mouse, speakers, buttons, etc.) One skilled in the art will recognizethat an implementation of an actual computer could contain othercomponents as well, and that FIG. 5 is a high level representation ofsome of the components of such a computer for illustrative purposes.

The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in everyrespect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scopeof the inventive concept disclosed herein is not to be determined fromthe Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpretedaccording to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to beunderstood that the embodiments shown and described herein are onlyillustrative of the principles of the inventive concept and that variousmodifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the inventive concept. Thoseskilled in the art could implement various other feature combinationswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concept.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a value fora threshold, the value based on: a mass of material located in anagricultural machine, a vertical acceleration of the mass of material asthe agricultural machine moves, and the agricultural machine;determining a speed of the agricultural machine; periodicallydetermining a weight associated with the agricultural machine based ondata from a weight sensor located on the agricultural machine, wherein afrequency at which the weight is determined is based on the speed of theagricultural machine and a responsiveness of the weight sensor;determining if the weight is above the threshold; and storingoperational parameters in response to determining that the weight isabove the threshold.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying a new weight associated with the agricultural machine;comparing the new weight to a previous peak weight associated with theagricultural machine; and storing the new weight as a peak weight inresponse to determining that the new weight is higher than the previouspeak weight.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: storingoperational parameters associated with the new weight in response todetermining that the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining that the new weight ishigher than the previous peak weight further comprises: determining thatthe new weight is a specific percentage higher than the previous peakweight.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the value is further based ona previous peak weight.
 6. An apparatus comprising: a weight sensor; anda machine control indicator in communication with the weight sensor, themachine control indicator performing operations comprising: receiving avalue for a threshold, the value based on a mass of material located inan agricultural machine, a vertical acceleration of the mass of materialas the agricultural machine moves, and the agricultural machine;determining a speed of the agricultural machine; periodicallydetermining a weight associated with the agricultural machine based ondata from the weight sensor, wherein a frequency at which the weight isdetermined is based on the speed of the agricultural machine and aresponsiveness of the weight sensor; determining if the weight is abovethe threshold; and storing operational parameters in response todetermining that the weight is above the threshold.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, the operations further comprising: identifying a new weightassociated with the agricultural machine; comparing the new weight to aprevious peak weight associated with the agricultural machine; andstoring the new weight as a peak weight in response to determining thatthe new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.
 8. The apparatusof claim 7, the operations further comprising: storing operationalparameters associated with the new weight in response to determiningthat the new weight is higher than the previous peak weight.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the determining that the new weight ishigher than the previous peak weight further comprises: determining thatthe new weight is a specific percentage higher than the previous peakweight.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the value is further basedon a previous peak weight.
 11. A method comprising: receiving a valuefor a first threshold, the value based on a mass of material located inan agricultural machine, a vertical acceleration of the mass of materialas the agricultural machine moves, and the agricultural machine;determining a speed of the agricultural machine; periodicallydetermining a weight of material associated with the agriculturalmachine based on data from a weight sensor located on the agriculturalmachine, wherein a frequency at which the weight is determined is basedon the speed of the agricultural machine and a responsiveness of theweight sensor; storing a plurality of operational parameters in responseto determining that the weight of material is above the first threshold;and updating the first threshold to generate a second threshold inresponse to determining that the weight of material is above the firstthreshold.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: identifying anew weight associated with the agricultural machine; comparing the newweight to the second threshold; and storing a second plurality ofoperational parameters in response to determining that the new weight isabove the second threshold.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: updating the second threshold to generate a third thresholdin response to determining that the new weight is above the secondthreshold.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining that thenew weight is above the second threshold further comprises: determiningthat the new weight is a specific percentage above the second threshold.15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first threshold is further basedon a previous peak weight.